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Learn how to use irregular past participles in the Spanish present perfect tense, essential for talking about recent actions and experiences. This lesson covers key irregular verbs like decir (dicho), escribir (escrito), and hacer (hecho), with practical examples related to bureaucracy and paperwork. Master the difference between regular and irregular participles and understand the formation of the pretérito perfecto with the auxiliary verb haber. Perfect for A2 learners aiming to improve everyday Spanish communication.
  1. The perfect preterite is formed with the present indicative of the verb "haber" plus the past participle of the verb we conjugate.
  2. Some verbs that do not follow the general rule are called irregular and their past participle is formed differently.
Verbo (Verb)Participio irregular (Irregular participle)Ejemplo (Example)
DecirDichoEl funcionario me ha dicho que entregue todos los documentos. (The official has told me to submit all the documents.)
EscribirEscritoHe escrito la solicitud para el permiso de trabajo. (I have written the application for the work permit.)
HacerHecho¿Has hecho los trámites para la visa? (Have you done the visa procedures?)
PonerPuestoHe puesto la solicitud en el mostrador. (I have put the application on the counter.)
VerVisto¿Has visto la oficina de seguridad social? (Have you seen the social security office?)
VolverVueltoTodavía no he vuelto de la cita para la visa de trabajo. (I have not returned from the work visa appointment yet.)

 

Exercise 1: Verbos irregulares en el pretérito perfecto

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

hemos puesto, han vuelto, han hecho, ha dicho, Has dicho, Has hecho, has escrito, Has puesto

1.
Poner (tú): ¿... tu dirección en el formulario?
(Have you put your address on the form?)
2.
Decir: Ella ... que no tiene los documentos listos.
(She has said that she doesn't have the documents ready.)
3.
Volver: Ellos ... de su cita en la seguridad social.
(They have returned from their appointment at social security.)
4.
Hacer: Ellos ... la reservación-in en el Ayuntamiento.
(They have checked in at the Town Hall.)
5.
Decir (tú): ¿... todo lo que necesitaban para la solicitud?
(Have you said everything they needed for the application?)
6.
Poner: Nosotros ... todos los papeles en el sobre.
(We have put all the papers in the envelope.)
7.
Escribir: ¿Tú ... la carta para la solicitud de empleo?
(Have you written the letter for the job application?)
8.
Hacer (tú): ¿... ya la solicitud para el permiso de trabajo?
(Have you already applied for the work permit?)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Select the correct sentence that uses the present perfect with irregular verbs to express recent actions or experiences in situations related to paperwork, procedures, and bureaucracy.

1.
Error: incorrect participle 'writed' instead of 'written'.
Error: incorrect use of the verb in present 'write' instead of the past participle.
2.
Error: incorrect use of the verb in present 'puts' instead of the participle.
Error: incorrect participle 'puted' instead of 'put'.
3.
Error: incorrect participle 'sayed' instead of 'said'.
Error: incorrect verbal form 'has say' instead of 'has said'.
4.
Error: incorrect participle 'returnied' instead of 'returned'.
Error: incorrect verbal form 'haven't return' instead of the past participle 'returned'.

Understanding Irregular Verbs in the Present Perfect Tense

This lesson teaches you how to use irregular past participles in Spanish's pretérito perfecto, a key tense for expressing recent actions or experiences. The present perfect is formed by combining the present indicative of the verb haber with the past participle of the main verb.

Irregular Past Participles

Unlike regular verbs, some Spanish verbs have irregular past participles that do not follow a typical ending pattern. These must be memorized to use the pretérito perfecto correctly.

  • Decir – dicho: El funcionario me ha dicho que entregue todos los documentos.
  • Escribir – escrito: He escrito la solicitud para el permiso de trabajo.
  • Hacer – hecho: ¿Has hecho los trámites para la visa?
  • Poner – puesto: He puesto la solicitud en el mostrador.
  • Ver – visto: ¿Has visto la oficina de seguridad social?
  • Volver – vuelto: Todavía no he vuelto de la cita para la visa de trabajo.

How to Form the Present Perfect

The present perfect tense combines haber (to have) with the past participle. For example, "he dicho" means "I have said." This tense is widely used to discuss recent events or experiences, especially important for real-life contexts like paperwork or bureaucratic processes.

Key Points for Learners

  • Memorize irregular past participles carefully, as incorrect forms like escribido or ponido are common mistakes.
  • Practice sentences in relevant contexts, such as visa applications or document submissions, to make learning practical.
  • The structure in Spanish differs from English; it uses haber plus a participle, not a separate auxiliary verb.

Language Notes and Useful Comparisons

In English, the present perfect combines "have" with the past participle, such as "I have written." Spanish follows a similar pattern but with its own auxiliary verb haber. Also, many Spanish participles are irregular, a feature less frequent in English. For example, the verb "to write" is "escribir," and its irregular participle is "escrito," resembling English "written." Useful phrases you might see include he hecho (I have done), has puesto (you have put), and ha dicho (he/she has said). These forms are essential for everyday situations involving recent actions or experiences, especially bureaucratic processes where precise communication is vital.

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